Ubuntu Server Installation on VMware Workstation with Custom Partition Layout

 

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Introduction
Ubuntu is a popular flavor of Linux and a versatile operating system. Ubuntu is available for both server and desktop environments. Ubuntu server does not support in graphical installation program instead, it uses a text-based process. The Ubuntu desktop has a beautiful and user-friendly graphical interface (GUI).
In the previous post, we demonstrated an Ubuntu installation on VMware Workstation with a guided storage layout. This guide provides step by step installation of Ubuntu server on VMware Workstation with a manual partitioning, including setting up root, swap, boot and other partitions. you will learn how to configure Ubuntu Server partitioning guide for better flexibility, performance and system management. For this purpose following steps will be followed.

Step 1 - Download Ubuntu ISO
Go to the Ubuntu official website: https://ubuntu.com/download/server and download the latest version of Ubuntu Server.
Ubuntu Server ISO download page for VMware custom partition installation

Step 2 – Create New Virtual Machine
In the previous post, it was explained in detail how to create a virtual machine. Let’s create a new virtual machine by following the steps.
Open VMwareWorkstation and click on New Virtual Machine or go to File and click on New Virtual Machine. you can use the shortcut Ctrl +N to create a New Virtual Machine as well.
VMware Workstation new virtual machine wizard for Ubuntu Server installation

Step 3 – Select Typical and click next
Option to select the typical installation mode, using default settings and recommended configuration.

Step 4 – Guest Operating System Installation
Options available as disc installer, ISO file and I will install the Operating system later. It’s your choice, you can select the disc to load the installer media or upload an ISO file for installation. I will select the last option for the reason that I will explain in the next step.
Select I will install later and click next.
tep in setup wizard where the user selects the operating system type.

Step 5 – Operating System and Version
Select an operating system and its version then click next.
tep in setup wizard where the user selects the operating system type.

Step 6 – Choose Location of Virtual Machine
Name your virtual machine as per your need as Ubuntu Test server, etc. Click browse and select the location of the virtual machine then click next.
Step in VM setup wizard to specify the VM file location on the host system.

Step 7 – Specify Disk Capacity
Enter the required disk capacity that fulfills your need and click next.
Interface for setting the virtual machine’s hard disk size.

Step 8 – Customize Hardware
Click customized hardware.
Interface to modify VM hardware and software settings before creation.

Step 9 – Memory Settings
Select maximum memory if you have enough memory on host system. At least 8 GB is recommended minimum memory for Linux machine.
VMware Workstation hardware configuration screen for Ubuntu Server custom partitioning

Step 10 – Processor Settings
Select the number of processors, the core of the processor and the virtualization engine.
Note: Virtualization should be enabled both in the BIOS settings of the host system and the virtual machine.
Panel to manage processor resources for optimal VM performance.

Step 11 – Select Ubuntu ISO
Click on Use ISO image file and click on browse to the location of the ISO file.
Interface for choosing the Ubuntu ISO image for VM installation.

Step 12 – Confirm Virtual Machine 
Review virtual machine settings and click on Finish to create and power on the virtual machine.
Final confirmation step for creating the virtual machine.

Step 13 – Power on Virtual Machine
Click on the power on this virtual machine to switch it on this machine.
Interface to start or boot the virtual machine.

Step 14 – Install Ubuntu Operating System
Ubuntu Server installation welcome screen inside VMware Workstation

Step 15 – select Language
Select a language and press enter.
Interface to choose the language settings before installation or setup.

Step 16 – Ubuntu Keyboard Configuration
Choose keyboard configuration and press done.Option to configure keyboard settings for accurate input in the system.

Step 17 – Choose the Base for Installation
Select the type of Ubuntu installation and press done.  Use up/down arrow keys or tab to change fields, spacebar to select an option and enter to proceed or back.Option to define the base configuration before proceeding with installation.

Step 18 - Network Connection
Configure the network connection and press done.
Option to connect the virtual machine or system to a network.

Step 19 – Ubuntu Proxy Address
Select the proxy address if you have any; otherwise, leave it empty and press done.Option to specify proxy settings for Ubuntu system network access.

Step 20 – Ubuntu Archive Mirror
Configure archive mirror and press done.
Interface to choose a mirror server for Ubuntu package downloads.

Step 21 – Storage Options
Two options for storage configuration as explained below
Configure guided storage layout
This option creates the partitions automatically and asks for review of the configuration to proceed.

Create a custom layout
In this option, partitions are created according to the required capacity and need. The remaining process is the same. This option provides you a complete control of partitions.
Select a custom storage layout and press done.
Ubuntu Server custom partition layout configuration screen during installation

Step 22 – Manual Storage Configuration 
Bring the cursor to free space, press the spacebar in the available devices section and select by down arrow key to add GPT partition as shown below.Ubuntu Server custom partition layout configuration screen during installation

Press the spacebar then the partition window will open as shown below.
Step in installation wizard for defining the / partition on the disk.

Step 23 – Partition Configuration
Create a partition according to your requirements and the available storage capacity. Partitions depend on the type of server that you are going to configure and environment in which this server will deploy.
We will create the following partitions for our Ubuntu server Installation.
These partitions are:

  •        / --Root         50GB
  •        /boot             2GB (normal size for /boot is 1024MB)
  •       Swap            8GB
  •        /opt               139GB (for custom software installation and configuration)

/ --Root

Step in installation wizard for defining the / partition on the disk.

/boot
Normal size of /boot partition is 1024MB but I created /boot 2GB.Step in installation wizard for allocating disk space for the boot partition.

Swap Partition
A rule of thumb for swap is double of your physical memory. I created 8GB of swap partition.
Interface to set up a swap partition during OS installation for memory management.

/opt
Created /opt of 139GB for custom software installation and configuration. To create a /opt partition bring the cursor on Mount by pressing tab then press spacebar and select otherInterface to set up the /opt partition during OS installation for additional software.

Because /opt is not available directly in Mount. That’s the reason to select other in Mount then create the /opt as shown below.
Interface to set up the /opt partition during OS installation for additional software.

Now press continue to create partition table for new partitions.
Step in installation wizard to set up a fresh partition table for disk management.

Step 24 – Profile Setup
Enter profile information and press done.
Option to define user credentials and profile settings.

Step 25 – OpenSSH Installation
Choose install OpenSSH server and press done.
Interface to set up OpenSSH Server for secure command-line remote connections.

Step 26 – Installing the System
System installation progress screen.
Ubuntu Server installation progress bar on VMware Workstation with manual partitions

Step 27 – Installation complete
Installation is complete. Press Reboot Now to reboot the system.
Message confirming that the system or application has been installed successfully.

Step 28 – Unmounting CD-ROM Error
Failed unmounting /cdrom error message may come on first reboot.
Message indicating that the CD-ROM could not be safely unmounted.

We will remove the installation media from the virtual machine settings. For this click on edit virtual machine settings and click on click on CD/DVD (SATA). Select use physical drive and press ok. Now reboot the virtual machine.Instruction to take out the installation media before proceeding.



This time the login screen will come.First boot of Ubuntu Server with custom partitions in VMware Workstation


Enter the username and password that was created on the profile setup step to log in.Interface displaying that login credentials were accepted.

Login is successful.


Partition Table after Installation

Interface displaying the finalized partition layout of the system disk.

That’s all for Ubuntu installation. Performing an Ubuntu Server on VMware Workstation with a custom partitioning layout gives you more control over your machine and its resources. By following this Ubuntu Server manual partitioning guide, you can create well-structured disk setup root, boot, swap and additional partitions based on your needs. This Ubuntu Server tutorial has shown you how to use manual partitioning instead of the default automatic configuration, ensuring better system performance, flexibility and easier management.
Keep visiting seeklinux for more updates and information.

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